New York State will soon exempt tampons from sales tax

one tamponThe Cuomo admin announced Thursday that Andrew Cuomo has signed a bill that will exempt tampons and other related items from state and local sales tax.

The bill passed earlier this past May after being sponsored by Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) in the Assembly and Sue Serino (R-Hudson Valley) in the state Senate. From the bill memo:

New York State exempts certain items from state sales tax, including drugs and medicine, medical equipment and certain medical supplies as well as prosthetic aids. Feminine hygiene products, such as tampons, sanitary napkins and panty liners, are an undeniable necessity, yet they are subject to sales tax.
This bill would correct the fundamental imbalance that currently existing in New York State by exempting certain feminine hygiene products, including but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons and panty liners from sales and use tax.

The Cuomo admin figures the sales tax exemption will collectively save women in the state $10 million a year. It's set to take effect September 1.

There's been a push in many states recently to exempt tampons and similar items from sales tax. Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have already done so, and Connecticut is scheduled to do so 2018. And a few other states are moving in that direction. [Providence Journal]

Comments

Bravo NYS!

My second favorite thing about this story (the first obviously being how reasonable it is to a make a necessary item tax free) is seeing what photos of tampons/sanitary products are used in the articles/tweets. Shout out to OB!

Good! Dismembering the Woman Tax bit by bit!

Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine